Miramax Reportedly for Sale

[mwynn]

https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/...V8jdTQattTAZEU

Here’s a potentially huge story that’s been flying under the radar. Last week, Variety wrote that Qatar-based beIN Media Group is seeking to sell up to 50% of Miramax in a deal that would value the studio founded in 1979 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein at $650 million; currently, beIN owns the company in its entirety. The story comes straight from a Wall Street Journal report.

This is important for horror fans as Miramax is one of the main rights holders of the Halloween franchise, which occurred after it was exiled from the firm grasp of the Weinstein Company’s Dimension Films three years ago (report). Had this not happened, it’s quite possible that the franchise would still be tied up in the reshuffling of Dimension and Lantern’s acquisition of The Weinstein Company.

Speaking of, Miramax is also tied to the franchise rights of Scream, which also resides at Lantern/Dimension Films. A third season of the TV series has been completed for quite some time but appears to be held up after Netflix terminated an output deal.

We’re not sure there how this potential sale would impact both franchises, but it’s worth noting that this is something to keep our eyes on. If Universal Pictures were to acquire Miramax, it would make it much easier to expedite sequels to Halloween – and a new suitor could have an interesting impact on what happens with Scream.

We reached out to a handful of sources in hopes to get some intel. Until then, we’ll watch for any more information as it comes in.

Thanks to reader Richie Watkins for the heads up on this one.

[CyberpunkCentral]

[mwynn]

It has to be Comcast. If they do not it would be a mistake.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by mwynn

It has to be Comcast. If they do not it would be a mistake.

They can have it. I am not interested

[SleazyForWeasley]

I don't care who buys it as long as whoever it is does a better job at remastering/rescanning/releasing or re-releasing some of their classics. A lot of their films still need a BD release. The Scream films need new scans, as does Chasing Amy. Would love some UHD releases too!

[JMS1223]

I have a question sort of related to this. I noticed there has not been a re-release announced for the 25th Anniversary of Pulp Fiction into movie theaters. I know Fathom Events did one back in 2012 but sadly missed it and was unaware of it until this year. Pulp Fiction is a Miramax film, so could this maybe be the reason why we have not heard of a re-release of Pulp Fiction into theaters since Miramax is trying to figure out a new owner and they cannot worry about re-releases?

[filmbuffTX]

Does the current “Miramax” even own their back catalog of films? It seems that Lionsgate has the rights to those films. For example, Disney released No Country for Old Men in 2009 on Blu-ray before they sold Miramax. Since then Lionsgate has released the movie a few times and included Digital HD.

My Left Foot
Shakespeare in Love
The Crying Game
Scream
Good Will Hunting
All of Tarantino’s Miramax films, etc

[InuYashaCrusade]

Sure would be nice if the rights to Pokemon movies 4-7 went back to The Pokemon Company International if the company does get purchased.

[Mikezilla3k]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Sure would be nice if the rights to Pokemon movies 4-7 went back to The Pokemon Company International if the company does get purchased.

I would rather have Miramax being owned by another company. At least then there would be a little bit of a chance to have the original Japanese version released. (unless they start releasing it after Mewtwo Strikes Back Evoultion)

[filmbuffTX]

I found my answer. Lionsgate only has home video distribution rights:

On February 11, 2011, Miramax entered a home entertainment agreement with Lions Gate Entertainment and StudioCanal to distribute over 550 titles from the Miramax library on DVD and Blu-ray. Lionsgate will handle distribution in the United States, with StudioCanal handling European distribution. On February 17, they struck a deal with Echo Bridge Home Entertainment to distribute the company's additional 251-title catalog domestically on DVD/Blu-ray. The latter deal expired in October 2014, after which Lionsgate expanded its existing deal to include Echo Bridge's collection of the library; thus, Lionsgate has full home entertainment distribution of the entire Miramax library in North America. From 2012 to 2017, Warner Home Video had assumed Japanese home entertainment distribution of the Miramax catalog.

[JMS1223]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

I found my answer. Lionsgate only has home video distribution rights:

So I am guessing they have no say over what gets re-released in theaters. Who then has the movie theater distribution rights?

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by JMS1223

So I am guessing they have no say over what gets re-released in theaters. Who then has the movie theater distribution rights?

I assume it’s still with Miramax and its parent company. I wonder if Fathom Events have ever approached them about doing any anniversary screenings for their films. I suspect beIN Media Group probably doesn’t care. Of course in some instances studios release their films themselves direct to theaters like Sony did with Cruel Intentions for a week. Or when Universal had a deal with AMC to screen Smokey and the Bandit for nine days after Burt Reynolds passed away. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing Pulp Fiction or a few of their other classics on the big screen.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

I assume it’s still with Miramax and its parent company. I wonder if Fathom Events have ever approached them about doing any anniversary screenings for their films. I suspect beIN Media Group probably doesn’t care. Of course in some instances studios release their films themselves direct to theaters like Sony did with Cruel Intentions for a week. Or when Universal had a deal with AMC to screen Smokey and the Bandit for nine days after Burt Reynolds passed away. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing Pulp Fiction or a few of their other classics on the big screen.

Speaking of which, Universal's re-releasing a 4K restored Do The Right Thing in theaters I believe later this month.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

Speaking of which, Universal's re-releasing a 4K restored Do The Right Thing in theaters I believe later this month.

That’s awesome, didn’t know about that. I’m definitely going to see it. The details from Deadline:

https://deadline.com/2019/06/do-the-...al-1202628920/

[Richard Graham]

Not sure if he's trolling, or karma finally arrived.

[ObiTrentKenobi]

Originally Posted by Richard Graham

Not sure if he's trolling, or karma finally arrived.

Trying to get court sympathy... pervs dole it out for the jury.

[Dubstar]

maybe this finally means someone can release Peter Greenaway's "Prospero's Books" on bluray (eye-ing Criterion)

[Godzamera]

Doesn't Miramax have Police Story 3: Supercop? I hope Criterion can get it sometime.

[Mikezilla3k]

Originally Posted by Godzamera

Doesn't Miramax have Police Story 3: Supercop?

They do.

[bmore007]

Hopefully someone who has a deal with Movies Anywhere buys it